The President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday officially administered the oath of office to four newly elected senators. The lawmakers secured their seats during the recent bye-elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to fill vacancies across four senatorial districts.
The newly inaugurated lawmakers are:
Senator Olaka Nwogu (Peoples Democratic Party, PDP) – Rivers South East
Senator Envulu Anza (All Progressives Congress, APC) – Nasarawa North
Senator Ikeje Asogwu (All Progressive Congress/APC) – Enugu North
Senator Dayo Faduyile (All Progressives Congress, APC) – Ondo South
The Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office during the plenary session.
The weekend’s bye-elections were necessitated by recent vacancies within the upper legislative chamber. The Rivers South East and Nasarawa North seats became vacant following the tragic passings of Senator Barinada Mpigi and Senator Godiya Akwaashiki, respectively. Senator Asogwu succeeds the late Senator Okechukwu Ezea, while Senator Faduyile fills the vacancy left by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, following his recent diplomatic appointment as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
In his congratulatory remarks, Senate President Akpabio welcomed the new lawmakers to the Red Chamber, famously describing the Senate as “a family of the most elite club in the world.”
He emphasized that their primary allegiance must now shift from partisan politics to the collective progress of the nation.
“You now represent the Federal Republic of Nigeria, rather than your political parties.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated.
Urging the senators to maintain an unwavering focus on national development.
To ensure effective legislative service, Akpabio advised the new lawmakers to thoroughly study the 1999 Constitution and the Senate Standing Orders (as amended in 2023).
The high-profile ceremony was attended by several prominent dignitaries, including the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and the Ondo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, SAN.
